Album reviews: Beck, the Fray, more

By Gary Graff, of the Oakland Press

Posted:
02/22/2014 05:45:32 PM MST

Joe King (L) and Isaac Slade (R) of The Fray performs during Amnesty Internationals "Bringing Human Rights Home" concert February 5, 2014 at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)

AMERICANA

Beck, “Morning Phase,” (Capitol), ***

Circumstances couldn't be more different for Beck Hansen now than when he released “Sea Change” in 2002. That austere and melancholy set, the acknowledged forebear to the new “Morning Phase,” was prompted by Beck's breakup with his longtime girlfriend. Now, however, he's married with two young children — but still able to tap into a bleak kind of beauty on these 13 tracks, which feature the core band from “Sea Change” as well as guests such as jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, banjoist Fats Kaplan, R&B drumming legend James Gadson and pedal steel master Greg Leisz, with Beck's father, David Campbell, providing string arrangements.

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There's more comfort than despair in this down-tempo immersion, and songs such as “Morning,” the richly nuanced “Heart is a Drum” and the album-closing “Waking Light,” are bolstered by a fuller, lush kind of ambience. “Blackbird Chain” and “Say Goodbye” boast retro noir pop feels, while Beck sings like a young Brian Wilson on “Unforgiven” and strikes Simon & Garfunel-style harmonies on “Turn Away.” The easygoing “Country Down” has a hint of twang, and the “I won't go under” resolve of the string-laden “Wave” is at least a gentle nod in a positive direction. There are certainly those who crave Beck's return to the party-down exuberance of “Odelay,” but on “Morning Phase” he shows that sad can be a happy place to be, too.ROCK

The Fray, “Helios,” (Epic), ***

The keening, earnest Fray of the Denver group's first three albums is still evident here, especially on tracks such as “Hold My Hand,” “Keep on Wanting” and “Break Your Plans.” But teaming with British techno producer Stuart Price has helped bring a new and more aggressive spark to the quartet's sound, evidenced by the charged “Closer to Me,” the downright funky “Give It Away” and “Wherever This Goes,” a showcase for the group's vocal harmonies. And although frontman Isaac Slade is still prone to asking Big Questions, there's a newfound lightheartedness here, too, which should make the Greek god of the sun, the album's namesake, happy.

New & Noteworthy

Dierks Bentley, “Riser” (Capitol Nashville): The country star's collaborators on his seventh solo album include new Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Charlie Worsham and Jaren Johnston of the Cadillac Three.

Celtic Woman, “Emerald: Musical Gems” (Manhattan): The Irish troupe revamped some of its favorite songs from previous shows for this two-disc set.

Neneh Cherry, “Blank Project” (Smalltown Supersound): The “Buffalo Stance” singer's first new album in 18 years includes a duet with Robyn on “Out of the Black.”

Brian Culbertson, “Another Long Night Out” (BCM): The multi-instrumentalist returns to contemporary jazz on this outing, with help from members of Fourplay, the Rippingtons, the Yellowjackets and Toto as well as saxophonist Candy Dulfer and more.

Neil Davidge, “Slo Light” (The End): The first solo outing from the former Massive Attack producer and Halo 4 score composer.

James Fortune, “Live Through It” (Fiya/eOne): A two-disc concert set by the Grammy Award-winning gospel artist from Houston.

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